Depot Summer Concert Series set to kick off June 9

STANDISH — Those looking for some local entertainment in Arenac County will have the opportunity with the Summer Concert Series returning to the Standish Historical Depot for 2011.

Starting June 9, through August 11, the weekly concert series will feature acts from around the area, performing at the depot’s bandstand every Thursday.

Curt Hillman, chairman of the Arenac Heritage Route Authority, said the authority is still searching for sponsors and performers for this year’s series, but he expects everything to be ready to go by June 9.

“We have about two-thirds of our performers signed up,” he said. “We just need to grab the bull by the horns and get the rest of the dates filled.”

Director Sue Stein said she receives calls at the depot daily from people asking about the return of the Summer Concert Series.

“There is a lot of interest for this year,” she said.

Hillman said the outlook for the 2011 Summer Concert Series is positive.

“We have people coming to us wanting to be sponsors,” he said. “That is something we really wanted to see.”

Last year, the Summer Concert Series saw a large number of people come out to the depot, Hillman said.

“The first year of (the Summer Concert Series) was to get people to the depot,” he said. “We wanted to show people that there are a lot of displays inside that are constantly changing.”

Hillman added that another positive from the Summer Concert Series was having a weekly event located locally for residents around Arenac County.

“There were people who came out here every week,” he said. "It did not matter what type of music there was, what age group the band was geared toward, they just wanted to get out and be there.”

Hillman said rather than traveling out of the area for entertainment, people around Standish now have the opportunity to enjoy something near home. He said with current gas prices, traveling out of the area may not be an option.

“For me to travel to Bay City, a one-way trip costs me $12,” he said. “Doing things like this can really help people out.”

Some of the big hit acts from last season are returning, Hillman said. He added that some of the more successful acts included rock music, country music and folk music.

Hillman said he hopes to see local talent featured as much as possible.

“We want to bring in as much local talent as we can,” he said.

Stein said the authority is looking to add a polka band to this season’s lineup.

“I would love to see polka,” she said “There is room for dancing. We have room in the parking lot and the sidewalks.”

The Standish Historical Depot Summer Concert Series is free to the public. All events are scheduled to run from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.